Portable plan table for use with trailer hitch

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a plan table and a vertical element, said vertical element rotateably attached to said plan table.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention is a new and improved apparatus which enabling themounting of a plan table to a trailer hitch hardware.

2. The Prior Art

Background

In the construction industry a need for a portable plan table is readilyapparent. Prior to the present application, contractors, laborers,architects, surveyors and others on a construction site or a land parcelbeing surveyed carried plans in their hands using whatever surfaces wereconvenient to make notes on their plans. Further, the plans are rarelyspread out and only a small portion of the plans is readily visible tothe user. Further, because of the rough handling the plans received onthose surfaces they rarely held up for long. In so doing the presentapplication resolves some of the issues by providing a plan table,surveyor's table or drafting table on which the plans may be fullyextended and visible. Further, the plan table may be mounted to a truckor on a rolling base which may be wheeled about the construction site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is side view of one embodiment of the plan table positioned toallow a user to use the tailgate of the vehicle as a seat.

FIG. 2 is side view of one embodiment of the plan table with a seatdistal from the truck.

FIG. 3A is top view of one embodiment of the plan table allowing forside to side movement.

FIG. 3B is a detailed side view of one apparatus allowing for themovement shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a detailed top view of the hinge.

FIG. 4A is a view of another apparatus for allowing the plan table torotate.

FIG. 4B looking down at plate with a plurality of holes.

FIG. 5A is a view of another apparatus for allowing the plan table torotate in a closed position.

FIG. 5B is a view of another apparatus for allowing the plan table torotate in a closed position.

FIG. 6 shows a simple right angle.

FIG. 7 shows a vertical element for receiving a plan table.

FIG. 8A is a view of the plan table on a rolling base.

FIG. 8B is top view of one embodiment of the plan table showing theplacement of the wheels of a rolling base with relation to the plantable.

FIG. 9A is view of the plan table folded for transportation.

FIG. 10A is view from the side of another embodiment of the plan tablein a side mounted configuration.

FIG. 11 shows a plan table mounted to a fitting in the tail gate of thevehicle.

FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E is a the plan table mounted to side of atruck.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the plan table from the rear oftruck.

FIG. 14A shows a plan table as disclosed which is broken down to enableease of storage

FIG. 15 is a view of another embodiment with a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the followingdescription is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Othermodifications and improvements will readily suggest themselves to suchskilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In the followingdescription, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is side view of one embodiment of the plan table 2 positioned toallow a user to use the tailgate 4 of the vehicle 6 as a seat. The plantable 2 is secured to vehicle 6 by a standard receiver 8. Standardreceivers are 2″×2″ but any type of device for attaching a device to avehicle may be used. The present embodiment has a horizontal extensionelement 10 with multiple apertures 12 which allows a user place to plantable 2 at a preferred distance. Further, the horizontal element 10 hasa vertical receiver 14 to receive vertical element 16. Vertical element16 has multiple apertures 20 which allow a user to place plan table 2 asa preferred height. In future embodiments a wing nut may be used to setthe vertical level of the plan table 2. In this embodiment the angle 22of the plan table may be varied from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. This givesthe user the freedom to place the plan table at a height, distance andangle to allow for easy access to the plan table 2 while sitting on thetailgate 4. Further, a standard 12 volt electrical attachment maybe usedto supply power to a variety of equipment on the plan table 2. In otherembodiments the table may receive power from a generator or any othertype of power source. The equipment which attaches to the table includesbut is not limited to a light, fan, camera, computer, radio, CD StorageCase. Further, a cup holder maybe attached to the plan table 2. In thisembodiment, an optional clamping device may be used to secure material,such as plans, papers etc., to the plan table 2. In other embodiments, astorage box for paper, scales, pencils, pens etc. may be mounted on theplan table 2. Further, attachments for such items such as hand cleaner,towels and notepads may be added to the plan table 2. Further, a slidinglaptop tray may be attached out from under the plan table 2. While inthis embodiment the plan table 2 is shown at the rear of the vehicle, inreality the plan table 2 may be attached anywhere a receiver may bemounted such as the front of the vehicle or on the side of the vehiclesuch as at a receiver 26 mounted to the side of the vehicle or areceiver mounted at the front of the vehicle 28. In other embodimentsthe plan table may be attached to a utility box at job sites. A versionof these boxes are sold under the brand name JOBOX. The plan table maybe attached to the lifters placed at the bottom of the box or a standardreceiver may be attached to the bottom of the box

FIG. 2 is side view of one embodiment of the plan table with a seat 30distal from the truck 6. In this embodiment, a seat 30 has been placedopposite the truck from the plan table 2. The seat 30 is slidablyattached to horizontal element 10 so that the vertical position of theseat 30 may be adjusted as well as the horizontal position of the seat30. This embodiment allows users greater ease of access to the plantable.

FIG. 3A is top view of one embodiment of the plan table 2 allowing forside to side movement. Fundamentally, this embodiment is similar to theembodiment described in FIG. 1. However, this embodiment allows a userto swing the plan table out of the way without having to remove thetable from the receiver 8. This is done by placing a pin 32 proximate tothe receiver 8. In this embodiment the plan table may be adjustedthrough out a 180 degree Arc 34. This allows a person sitting on tailgate 4 to move the table to stand up thereby allowing for a person toeasily get up without having to move themselves around the table.Further, it allows a person to access equipment that may be in the bedof the truck. Also, shown is pivot point 35 which allows the plan tableto swivel about that point so that the table may be turned to a positionchosen by the user.

FIG. 3B is a detailed side view of one apparatus allowing for themovement shown in FIG. 3A. In this embodiment, a pin 32 is used to allowthe horizontal element 10 to swing in relationship to the receiver 8.The pin 32 is held in place by the use of a nut 36. In other embodimentsbolt 36 may be held in place by a pin or any other method known in theart.

FIG. 3C is a detailed top view of the hinge. Horizontal element 10 hashad its edges 40 rounded to allow the horizontal element to swing up to180 degrees without being impeded by receiver 8.

FIG. 4A is a view of another apparatus for allowing the plan table torotate. In this embodiment two plates 42, 44 have been added to thereceiver 8. Turning to FIG. 4B looking down at plate 42 a plurality ofholes 46 can be seen. This allows horizontal element 10 to be positionedat a variety of angles. A pin 48 may be used to keep horizontal element10 in the selected position.

FIG. 5A is a view of another apparatus for allowing the plan table torotate in a closed position. In this embodiment a device consisting offirst arm 48, a second arm 50, a hinge 52 and a locking pin 54. Firstarm 48 is rigidly mounted into receiver 8 and the horizontal arm 10 ofthe plan table is rigidly mounted to second arm 50. When the plan tableneeds to be rotated locking pin 54 is released and the plan table maythen be rotated about hinge 52 as shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 shows a simple right angle 56. In another embodiment the rightangle 56 may be placed in receiver 8 to allow the plan table to berigidly placed to the side of the vehicle so that access to the bed ofthe truck is not impaired. The angle may be held in place by boltssecured at points 55. However, any method of holding the angle in placemay be used.

FIG. 7 shows a vertical element 16 for receiving a plan table. In thisembodiment a bottom post of the plan table is manufactured from roundstock 57 which fits snugly within the square stock of the verticalelement 16. This allows users to rotate the table about the bottom postof the plan table to a preferred position and then fix it in place usingwing nut 58. The vertical element 16 would then be secured to thehorizontal element. In other embodiments the bottom post of the plantable may be square stock which would not allow for the rotation of thetable.

FIG. 8A is a view of the plan table 2 on a rolling base 60. In thisembodiment, the plan table 2 and the vertical element 16 have beenremoved from the horizontal element 10 shown in FIG. 1. The plan table 2and the vertical element 16 are then mounted on a rolling base 60. Therolling base may have a plurality of wheels 62. In this embodiment 3wheels are shown. In future embodiments more wheels may be used. Thewheels 62 may be casters to be used on relatively smooth surfaces suchas on a concrete slab, large rubber tires for use over rugged surfacessuch as dirt, grass etc or any other type known in the art.

FIG. 8B is top view of one embodiment of the plan table showing theplacement of the wheels 62 of a rolling base with relation to the plantable 2. In other embodiments, the radius of the placement of the wheelsmay be greater to allow for more stability.

FIG. 9A is view of the plan table folded for transportation. A doublehinge 64 is used on the plan table 2. The double hinge 64 is used toease storage of plan table 2. FIG. 6B is view of the plan table foldedfor transportation.

FIG. 10A is view from the side of another embodiment of the plan tablein a side mounted configuration. In this embodiment, plan table 2 isattached to the side of a vehicle 6. The plan table 2 is supported by aplurality of legs 66 and the side of the vehicle. The plan table 2 maybe attached to the vehicle itself, a cabinet in the bed of the vehicleor a rack mounted on the vehicle. The plurality of legs may be foldinglegs which fold under the plan table such as in a card table or they maytelescope like the legs of a surveyors tripod. FIG. 10B shows the plantable 2 and the plurality of legs 66 from the rear of the vehicle. Inthis configuration a person would use the table by standing at the sideof the vehicle.

FIG. 11 shows a plan table 2 mounted to a fitting 68 in the tail gate 4of the vehicle 6. This allows for a minimum of components to be usedallowing the users to carry a smaller load.

FIG. 12A is view from the rear of the plan table 2 in a side mountedconfiguration. In this embodiment the plan table 2 is shown in a sidemounted configuration with a plurality of legs 66 for illustrativepurposes only. The plan table 2 may be mounted in any configurationincluding but not limited to the trailer hitch 8 or the fitting 68 ofFIG. 11. In this embodiment a storage space 70 is shown on truck rack71. When the user is done with the plan table 2, the table is brokendown and stored in storage space 70. In simple embodiments the table maybe broken down and put away in storage space 70 manually. In otherembodiments the table may be secured on rollers and may be attached to aroller system X in storage space 70 by connector 73. The table may thenbe slid out and unfolded while still being connected to the rollers inthe storage space as shown in FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C and FIG. 12D. Thisallows for the table to be easily transported, set-up, dismantled andstored. It may be secured by a variety of means including but notlimited to fasteners, ropes, clamps or any other means known in the art.FIG. 12E shows a side view of the storage space 70 on the truck rack.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the plan table 2 from the rear oftruck 6. In this embodiment when the plan table 2 is deployed it issecured to a storage system 72 by means of a hinge 74. When the user isdone using the plan table 2, the plan table 2 is swung up along arc 76and latched into place on storage system 72. When closed the bottom ofplan table 2 becomes the cover or door of storage system 72. Storagesystem 72 is flexible to accommodate the needs of the user. Storagesystem 72 may consist of shelves or may simply be large cabinet.

FIG. 14A shows a plan table 2 as disclosed which is broken down toenable ease of storage. Here the crossbar 80 and vertical element 16have been removed from the centerline 78 where they are connected to theplan table when deployed. The crossbar 80 and vertical element 16 arethen placed and secured proximate to one edge of the bottom of the plantable 2 by use of the same equipment used to secure it to the centerline78 when in its deployed position. Further, the horizontal element 10 isalso secured to the bottom of the plan table 2 by use of straps or anyother mechanism known in the art. The seat 30 and the seat support 82are also secured to the bottom of the plan table 2. Turning to FIG. 14B,bolts 84 are used to hold crossbar 80 and vertical element 16 securelyto plan table 2. Additionally, a cover 86 may be used to protect thesurface of the plan table 2.

FIG. 15 is a view of another embodiment with a cover 88. In thisembodiment a cover 88 has been added to protect the plans and the userfrom the elements. In other embodiments an umbrella may be used.Further, in this embodiment, a brace 90 is shown to help prevent theplan table 2 from moving.

In another embodiment, a smaller plan table may be mounted in thepassenger compartment of the vehicle. The plan table may be mounted tothe transmission hump by a set of bolts.

While embodiments and applications of this disclosure have been shownand described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany more modifications and improvements than mentioned above arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Thedisclosure, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit ofthe appended claims.

1. An portable table assembly, comprising: a plan table having acenterline; and a vertical element, said vertical element rotateablyattached to said center line of said plan table.